Apparatus for applying dye to a textile

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for applying a liquid dye to a textile web moving continuously in a predetermined direction has a tubular applicator housing defining a substantially closed chamber formed with an outlet slot extending a full length of the chamber transverse to the direction and a removable cover strip formed with an elongated array of throughgoing holes fitted to the slot. A receptacle holding the liquid dye is connected between the receptacle and the chamber for pressurizing the chamber with the dye. The closed chamber is centered on an axis and the housing forms a second chamber that is annular and coaxially surrounds the first-mentioned chamber. The housing also forms a second outlet slot extending a full length of the housing parallel to and offset from the first-mentioned slot. The supply is also connected to this second chamber.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the application of a liquid, e.g. a dye, to a textile web. More particularly this invention concerns the saturation of a moving textile web with a dye.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the manufacture of certain textile webs, for instance carpet, it is necessary to apply a treatment liquid, normally a dye, to the web. This must be done in a perfectly uniform manner, and often to a web that is traveling past the dying location at a moderate speed.

The dye itself is typically held in a supply that is connected to the applicator. This applicator in turn has one or more outlet openings through which the dye emerges to travel to the passing web. In practice the dye supply is a container connected via numerous supply lines to a distributor likewise provided with numerous inlet and outlet openings. The liquid dye is uniformly applied to the carpet through a large number of outlet openings and via a guide mechanism or homogenizing apparatus. Such an apparatus is suitable only for low throughputs in liters/min, which limits the displacement speed of the passing web. In addition, manufacture of the known apparatus is complicated and costly, since a large number of precision parts must be fabricated.

A method is known for continuously dyeing fabrics, in particular pile fabrics or pile carpets from DE 17 10 517 of E. Kusters, in which the material web provided with a liquid dye coating is passed through a steamer. The liquid dye is applied to the material web advancing for treatment in the steamer by use of a tubular feed line having an outlet engaging the material web with liquid dye by use of a blade.

Also known from DE-42 06 155 of J. Nolden is an apparatus for applying a treatment liquid to weblike textile webs. This apparatus is equipped with a bearing surface extending over the web by means of which the treatment liquid is applied to the web. This apparatus as a whole is complicated and costly, and is suitable only for certain applications.

It is also known from DE 28 12 219 of G. Klosel for a material web to be treated in an apparatus in the form of a narrow rectangular container extending over the entire width of the material web to be treated with by liquid dye. At the base of the container an outlet opening is provided that extends over the entire width of the container and that is connected to an inclined flow surface over which the liquid film moves to the material web. Oblong channels having a length-to-diameter ratio between 2:1 and 10:1, preferably between 3:1 and 6:1, and having diameters between 0.5 and 2 mm are provided in the base of the container as outlet openings.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for applying dye to a textile.

Another object is the provision of such an improved apparatus for applying dye to a textile that overcomes the above-given disadvantages, in particular that is particularly suited for treating carpet and that can handle a large throughput of the treatment liquid.

Another object is to provide such an apparatus that is particularly simple in construction, easy to manufacture, and quickly adapted to various requirements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An apparatus for applying a liquid dye to a textile web moving continuously in a predetermined direction has according to the invention a tubular applicator housing defining a substantially closed chamber formed with an outlet slot extending a full length of the chamber transverse to the direction and a removable cover strip formed with an elongated array of throughgoing holes fitted to the slot. A receptacle holding the liquid dye is connected between the receptacle and the chamber for pressurizing the chamber with the dye.

Furthermore according to the invention the closed chamber is centered on an axis and the housing forms a second chamber that is annular and coaxially surrounds the first mentioned chamber. The housing also forms a second outlet slot extending a full length of the housing parallel to and offset from the first-mentioned slot. The supply is also connected to the second chamber to pressurize same with a treatment liquid. These multiple chambers extend over the entire length of the applicator and are aligned concentrically or successively in a coaxial configuration in the applicator, each chamber being covered by a perforated strip having outlet openings and extending over the entire length of the respective chamber.

According to one refinement of the invention, a further possibility is to supply the chambers provided in the applicator with liquid dye via at least one supply line.

It is also advantageous for the chamber to have a circular, polygonal, or rectangular cross, section. Furthermore the chamber outlet opening is located upstream from the applicator or the perforated strip in the direction of flow to cover approximately the entire length of the chamber. The outlet openings in accordance with the invention run approximately parallel to the chamber or chambers and are formed as slots that extend over the entire length of the respective chambers.

It is of particular importance for the present invention that the outlet opening provided in the chamber are formed as multiple slots successively positioned in one plane.

It is also advantageous for the liquid dye exiting from the outlet opening and/or from the perforated strip to be applied to the textile web, in particular carpet, by means of a guide mechanism, in particular a homogenizing blade.

Furthermore, up to 2000 L/min dye to be applied over a width of up to 6 m to the textile web, in particular carpet, by means of the applicator and/or the perforated strips. The outlet holes are between 0.1 and 20 mm in size. These outlet openings provided in the perforated strip can have any given cross section, in particular circular, rectangular, polygonal, or oval cross section, and can be uniformly distributed or variably spaced. It is also important that the outlet openings provided in the perforated-strip have different sizes in certain regions, are fed with different quantities of liquid dye, and are completely or partially closable by means of control elements.

It is also advantageous for the chamber to comprise at least one container via which the liquid dye is applied from the outlet opening and/or the perforated strips to the textile web, in particular carpet, by means of hydrostatic pressure or by use of a pump, and for the outlet opening of the chamber to be modifiable in its cross section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The above and other objects, features, and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description, reference being made to the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a largely schematic view of an apparatus for applying at least one dye stored in a receptacle, which by use of a applicator having one or more openings is supplied to a textile web, in particular carpet;

FIG. 2 is a cross section of the apparatus for applying a dye according to FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a second embodiment of an apparatus for applying a dye held in an upright receptacle.

SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION

As seen in FIG. 1 a first embodiment of an apparatus 1 is for applying at least one dye, stored in a supply receptacle 13, to a textile web 11, here carpet moving in a horizontal direction D. The apparatus 1 is in fact mounted on the supply 13 and via one or more connecting lines 15 are in flow connection with a chamber 2 for conveying the liquid dye. The chamber 2 illustrated in FIG. 1 may have a circular, oval, polygonal, or rectangular cross section. According to FIG. 1, instead of only one chamber 2 multiple chambers 2 and 2.1 may be used that are coaxially aligned or that comprise two concentrically configured chambers.

The dye is supplied to the chamber 2 via the conduits 15 to the receptacle 13 and pumps 14 are provided for forcing the dye under pressure from the supply 13 to the chamber 2 and/or 2.1. Each chamber 2 and 2.1 has one or more outlet openings 4 or 4.1.

The outlet opening 4 of chambers 2 or 2.1 that is situated upstream from the applicator or a perforated strip in the direction of flow, extends approximately the entire length of the chamber 2 and 2.1. The chamber 2 is cylindrical and centered on an axis A perpendicular to the direction D, and the chamber 2.1 is annular and coaxially surrounds the chamber 2. Outlet openings or slots 4 and 4.1 from the chambers 2 and 2.1 run approximately parallel to each other, but at a spacing.

The liquid dye exiting the outlet opening 4 and/or openings 3.2 in the perforated strip 3.1 is applied via a-guide mechanism, in particular a homogenizing blade 5, to the textile web 11. This blade 5 has a planar flow surface extending at a small acute angle to the vertical and terminating at a sharp straight edge that is horizontal and perpendicular to the direction and that just grazes the upper ends of the filaments forming the pile of the carpet 11. Thus the liquid pumped in considerable volume out of the slot 4 (and if necessary the slot 4.1) passes through the perforations 4 and flows down as a uniform sheet on the blade 5 to saturate the passing web 11.

By means of the applicator 3 and/or the perforated strip 3.1, 100 to 2000 l/min, in particular 500 to 1500 l/min, of the dye may be applied over a width of between 3 and 6 m to the textile web 11.

The outlet openings 3.2 provided in the perforated strip 3.1 may be circular and between 0.1 and 20 mm in diameter, in particular between 5 and 15 mm, or between 8 and 10 mm, and may also have different sizes. The outlet openings 3.2 may also have any given cross section, in particular a circular, rectangular, polygonal, or oval cross section. The outlet openings 3.2 provided in the perforated strip 3.1 may bed, uniformly distributed or may be variably spaced, and by means of valves and/or easily exchangeable perforated strips may be differently controlled so that different quantities of dye may be applied to the carpet 11.

According to a second illustrated embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the chamber 2 may comprise at least one container 12 through which the liquid dye exits from the outlet opening 4 under hydrostatic pressure and is applied via the perforated strips 3 to the carpet 11.

According to another illustrated embodiment not illustrated in the drawing, the cross section of the outlet opening 4 in the chamber 2, or also the opening 3.2 in the perforated Strip 3.1, may be modified. 

1. An apparatus for applying a liquid dye to a textile web moving continuously in a predetermined direction, the apparatus comprising: a tubular applicator housing defining a substantially closed chamber formed with an outlet slot extending a full length of the chamber transverse to the direction; a removable cover strip formed with an elongated array of throughgoing holes fitted to the slot; a receptacle holding the liquid dye; and supply means connected between the receptacle and the chamber for pressurizing the chamber with the dye.
 2. The applicator apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein the closed chamber is centered on an axis and the housing forms a second chamber that is annular and coaxially surrounds the first-mentioned chamber, the housing also forming a second outlet slot extending a full length of the housing parallel to and offset from the first-mentioned slot, the supply means also being connected to the second chamber to pressurize same with a treatment liquid.
 3. The applicator apparatus defined in claim 2 wherein the first chamber is cylindrical and the second chamber.
 4. The applicator apparatus defined in claim 2 wherein both of the slots are provided with removable such cover strips.
 5. The applicator apparatus defined in claim 4 wherein both of the cover strips extend a full length of the respective chamber.
 6. The applicator apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein the holes of the cover strip are uniformly spaced from one another.
 7. The applicator apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein the holes of the cover strip are nonuniformly spaced.
 8. The applicator apparatus defined in claim 1, further comprising an applicator blade having a flat flow surface extending from the slot to the passing web and oriented such that dye issuing from the slot flows down the surface to the web.
 9. The applicator apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein the supply means includes a conduit extending between the chamber and receptacle.
 10. The applicator apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein the supply means includes a pump for pressurizing the chamber.
 11. The applicator apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein the chamber has a length of about 6 m.
 12. The applicator apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein the holes are circular and have a diameter between 1.1 and 20 mm.
 13. The applicator apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein the supply means pumps 2000 l/min of the dye to the chamber.
 14. The applicator apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein the holes are of adjustable size. 